Simultaneous Submissions - Writers Forum

ronndonn · 11-07-2005, 03:37 PM

In reviewing book Publishers in Writer's Guide, a great many of them "Accept Sumultaneous Submissions." I am about to put together submissions for about 20 publishers who accept simultaneous submissions. It makes sense to me to send them all out at once to save time (rather than send one out and wait for a response). Do you think this is a wise way to go?

My manuscript is fisnished and is a very specialized subjcet (Gospel interpretation from an eastern point of view) and the writing approach is rather unique for this type of project, so I have no clue as to which publishers will love it and which will hate it since it is so unique. My approach to send it out to 20 publishers all at once sounds right to me, but I want other opinions on it. Do you agree with my approach or not. Pros and Cons are both invited to respond.

Keep in mind, I will send it only to those publishers who say they accept simultaneous submissions, and of course I will customize each submission package to that particular publisher. Any thoughts or experience on this subject?

mammamaia · 11-08-2005, 09:14 AM

i'm not clear on what you mean by 'submission package'... usually, you have to query the publisher first... few, if any, will accept an unagented ms w/o having first received a query and replying with a request to see it...

so, are you referring to your 'proposal'?... that could include a query letter, a synopsis of the book, chapter outline and 1-3 sample chapters, depending on the particular publisher's preference, as set out in their guidelines...

if all you're sending out is a batch of query letters, that's fine... it's what writers do... but, don't waste your time and money on sending mss until they're requested, since they'll either be returned unread, or dumped... unless, of course, the publisher's guidelines say it's ok to send ms 'cold'...

i'd be wary of any that do, however, since most legit publishers won't, and many less than legit ones will...

hope this helps answer your question...

love and hugs, maia

ronndonn · 11-09-2005, 03:57 PM

Yes, I am not using the right terms. Thanks for the correction.

Most of the 20 publishers on my list do accept proposals with outline and chapters as you mention in your reply.

So how about that? Would it be alright to send out proposals to 20 publishers at one time? Would that be Okay?

Thanks so much for your response.

mammamaia · 11-09-2005, 04:03 PM

yes, of course... the only time simultaneous submissions come into play is after you've had replies from the queries/proposals, requesting that you send the ms... at that point, you must decide to either send to one particular publisher that does not accept sim/subs and wait months for a response, or only send to those that say they are acceptable...

ronndonn · 11-10-2005, 05:32 PM

Gotcha. That clears up the whole thing. Thanks.